Happy 4th of July 🎉🎆🇺🇸!

This week, we’ve got just the thing to pair with your long weekend – uplifting stories, big-hearted moments, and a few reasons to smile between the burgers and fireworks.

Let’s jump right in👇

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Quick Lifts ❤️

This Fourth of July, we’re spotlighting some of the most heartwarming stories from the Happilynews.com archives – proof that the American spirit is alive and well.

Man Deals With Kid Setting Off Security Alert In Sweetest Way

When Dave Phoxe caught a youngster constantly cycling on his driveway, triggering his security cameras, he didn’t do the expected – rush outside, berate the kid and scare. him off. No, he waited until the cover of darkness… and drew an epic chalk driveway racetrack for all the neighborhood kids to enjoy.

U.S. Navy Veteran, 94, Shares Fist Bumps And Words Of Wisdom With Students Every Morning

Every morning, 94-year-old Navy veteran Wally Richardson stands outside a California middle school offering fist bumps, wisdom, and a few kind words to students as they start their day. He’s become a local legend – known lovingly as “Mr. Knuckles” – and his daily routine shows the kind of community pride we love most.

When This 5-Year-Old Knocked Over a Mailbox, He Showed What Being a Good Neighbor Really Means

Kids can get a bad wrap. But it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s a generation of kindhearted kids ready to make our communities better. Take five-year-old Crew. He was devastated when he damaged a neighbors mailbox while playing out in the street. So much so, he insisted on fixing it himself - asking his mom to help him buy a replacement and, with the help of his dad, making thins rights.

Happy Headlines 📰

It’s not all doom and gloom out there. Here’s some positive news items from publications around the world.

💝 She hadn’t seen him in 20 years — now she’s donating her liver to save his life

👮 Deputy’s act of kindness during speeding stop goes viral

🏠 Boy mows lawns to help dad who lost home in wildfire

💖 Woman abandoned at birth meets dad who ‘never knew she existed’ 24 years later

🪖 80 years later, a Holocaust survivor meets an American soldier who helped free him

❤️‍🩹 Since 1970, heart attack deaths have fallen almost 90 per cent in the US, no longer leading cause of death

🤩 Woman uses CPR training she learned 40 years ago to save teen baseball player’s life

🐢 This 5-star island paradise doubles as a sea turtle rescue

🙌 The city of Flint Michigan completes project to replace the lead pipes in the city

🔊 Deaf teenager gains ability to hear after experimental gene therapy, offers hope for all children born with genetic hearing loss

Smileworthy Snapshots 📸 

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A Sky Full of Celebration 🎇

There’s something special about July 4th no matter where you are. Maybe it’s the sound of laughter drifting from backyard cookouts, the local parade rolling down Main Street, or the smell of sparklers and grilled burgers in the summer air. But when the sun sets? That’s when the real show begins.

Photographer Dylan Schwartz captured the magic from high above the action, watching as fireworks dotted the skyline across the horizon like glitter tossed across the night. From his perch on Mount Wilson, 5,000 feet above the city below, Dylan saw not just one celebration, but dozens.

He took images that night using a trio of cameras to capture what most of us only see from our driveways or local parks. One time-lapse he created shows the entire city pulsing with fireworks in every direction, like the country’s birthday beating in real time.

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5 Easy Ways to Give Back This Fourth of July

Fireworks, cookouts, and parades are fun, but July 4th is also the perfect time to celebrate the spirit of community. Whether it’s honoring those who serve or simply showing kindness to neighbors, small acts of generosity can go a long way. Here are four feel-good, totally doable ways to give back this Independence Day.

🇺🇸 Help at a Community Event

Many cities host parades, fireworks shows, or local festivals — and they rely on volunteers to help things run smoothly. Check your city’s Parks and Rec department or local event pages to see where help is needed. It could be anything from handing out water to helping with clean-up after the fun.

🎁 Pack Care Kits or Donations

Got a little extra time before the BBQ? Gather some travel-sized toiletries, snacks, or household supplies and assemble care kits for local shelters or service organizations. Some ideas:

• Hygiene kits for a women’s shelter

• Snack packs for a food pantry

• School supplies for upcoming back-to-school drives

Many local nonprofits post their needs on their websites or social media pages.

🎖️ Support a Veterans’ Organization

Whether it’s a monetary donation, a handwritten letter, or a care package, organizations like Operation Gratitude, Wounded Warrior Project, or Homes For Our Troops make it easy to show appreciation to those who’ve served.

🫶 Lend a Hand at a Food Bank

Food banks often need extra hands during long weekends. Whether it’s sorting items, packing boxes, or helping with distributions, even a couple of hours can make a big difference. Visit sites like volunteermatch.org or your local food bank’s site to sign up.

🧤 Join a Local Clean-Up Crew

Fourth of July festivities can leave parks, beaches, and sidewalks a little worse for wear. Look up local clean-up groups or just round up a few friends and do your own quick sweep. Bonus: it’s a great way to walk off those hot dogs 🤣

🎇 Final thought

Volunteering doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Even a small contribution helps build the kind of communities worth celebrating. And that’s something we can all toast to.

Before You Go…A Serotonin Booster* 📺

Farmer plants millions of wheat seeds to surprise wife for 20th anniversary ❤️

*Studies show that watching cute, heartwarming videos can boost your mood. So sit back and start your weekend positively!

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